“An Icon in Sports Broadcasting” - Former Miss America Phyllis George Passes Away at 70
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Pioneering female sports broadcaster -- and former Miss America -- Phyllis George has passed away at 70.
Her death was confirmed by her children, CNN's senior White House correspondent Pamela Brown and entrepreneur Lincoln Brown, CNN reported.
A Texas native, George was crowned Miss America in 1971, before joining CBS Sports in 1974 and then the cast of The NFL Today, co-hosting live pregame shows before National Football League games.
George, one of the first women to have a nationally prominent role in television sports coverage, was a trailblazer for female broadcasters.
CBS Sports released the following statement from Sean McManus, Chairman of CBS Sports, upon her passing.
“The CBS sports family is deeply saddened by the passing of Phyllis George, an icon in the sports broadcasting industry who contributed greatly to the rich history and tradition of CBS Sports.
Phyllis was not only a key member of a show that remains the gold standard of NFL pregame shows, “The NFL Today” with Brent, Irv, and ’The Greek,’ but also a pioneer for all women in broadcasting.”
George was married twice. Her first marriage was to Hollywood producer Robert Evans, and her second to Kentucky Fried Chicken owner and former Governor of Kentucky, John Y. Brown Jr.
George served as Kentucky's First Lady during Brown's term in office.
